March 25, 2011; I was asked by my young neighbors Allen, Ritchie and Dale to join them in a climb. Knowing that the group was new to hiking adventure, I insinuated an overnight camping (to at least divide the ‘energy’ requirement of climb into two days) in a technically easier hiking destination that could offer good view. The group decided to consider Mt. Manabu after checking a number of mountaineering blogs.
Early morning, of March 25, 2011; the three knocked at my door while I am having breakfast. The three are wearing similar Lasallian shirt! I don’t have any idea about their plan to wear such… but that morning, when they knocked, I was in similar shirt design as well. We were indeed in a unified mood and desire to enjoy rough terrain that time.
Early morning, of March 25, 2011; the three knocked at my door while I am having breakfast. The three are wearing similar Lasallian shirt! I don’t have any idea about their plan to wear such… but that morning, when they knocked, I was in similar shirt design as well. We were indeed in a unified mood and desire to enjoy rough terrain that time.
At 7:00 AM, we left our place and travelled to Sto. Tomas, Batangas via commuter van from Palapala Terminal near Robinsons Place Dasmariñas. We arrived in Sto. Tomas at 9:30 AM and immediately rent a tricycle to Sitio Sulok, Barangay Sta. Cruz. We arrived at the registration area at around 10:10 AM and eventually proceed to the trail head. We started trekking at around 10:30 AM.
Initially, we crossed a shallow river, passed through vegetable farm, orchard, coconut farm, coffee plantation and eventually reached a hut owned by an aged but jolly and warm farmer. In there, we rested for thirty minutes and enjoyed the free coffee that was served to us by the very hospitable man. He introduced himself as Mang Pirying. In his eyes, I saw his willingness and eagerness to meet and at least serve coffee or anything to mountaineers. I guessed then that he was likewise a rough terrain enthusiast. He even share stories about some individuals who visited the mountain in the past… and he still can recall their names. I far as I remember, he mentioned certain Carlos, Gideon, Claire, Paeng and Icel and shared the unique ways on how he met or encountered each one of them. He has a very sharp memory. We left Mang Pirying’s house at 12:15 PM and pushed through with our assault. This time, the trail was steeper but very manageable. We then enter the woods until we reached a shrub and fern shrouded ground where the adjacent Mt. Malipunyo was beautifully visible. At 1:30, we reached the campsite… the beautiful view of Batangas welcomed us! We then set up our tents, fix our things, and eventually enjoyed our packed lunch. After lunch, we rested in our tents while enjoying some light stories and jokes…
Initially, we crossed a shallow river, passed through vegetable farm, orchard, coconut farm, coffee plantation and eventually reached a hut owned by an aged but jolly and warm farmer. In there, we rested for thirty minutes and enjoyed the free coffee that was served to us by the very hospitable man. He introduced himself as Mang Pirying. In his eyes, I saw his willingness and eagerness to meet and at least serve coffee or anything to mountaineers. I guessed then that he was likewise a rough terrain enthusiast. He even share stories about some individuals who visited the mountain in the past… and he still can recall their names. I far as I remember, he mentioned certain Carlos, Gideon, Claire, Paeng and Icel and shared the unique ways on how he met or encountered each one of them. He has a very sharp memory. We left Mang Pirying’s house at 12:15 PM and pushed through with our assault. This time, the trail was steeper but very manageable. We then enter the woods until we reached a shrub and fern shrouded ground where the adjacent Mt. Malipunyo was beautifully visible. At 1:30, we reached the campsite… the beautiful view of Batangas welcomed us! We then set up our tents, fix our things, and eventually enjoyed our packed lunch. After lunch, we rested in our tents while enjoying some light stories and jokes…
During sunset, we went to the highest point were a large white concrete cross was set up by the locals. From the view of the adjacent Mt. Malipunyo and the other peaks of Malarayat Mountain Range was very beautiful. From the top, we saw Mt. Maculot, Mt. Makiling, Mt. Cristobal, Mt. Banahaw and other prominent peaks. The vast farmland of Batangas, Laguna and probably some part of Quezon were visibly astonishing. My three companions, especially Louverdale were obviously very delighted especially when the sun started to set… even the panda cap on Dale’s head almost shouted for joy because of the mesmerizing view. Ritchie manifested his fulfilment by showing enthusiasm and cheerfulness during picture taking. Allen’s expressive words in a naturally husky voice manifested delightedness on the experience despite the visible physical exhaustion during our way up. In my case, I casually enjoyed looking downhill and simply whispered “thank you Lord” before going back to our camp.
At 6:30, I prepared our dinner; I made sure that the food would be nice for them to further appreciate the camping! I cooked fried pork chop, garlic-laced corned beef, nido soup, and sliced the sweet oranges that we brought. It was a fine dinner in a dim lantern light under the dark but star studded sky! After our dinner, when we were about to prepare our sleeping bags, we were invited by a group of climbers who were already camping in the area to join them in their socials. Our group briefly join the fun, exchange stories and laughter.
At 10:00 PM, we decided to rest and proceed to our respective tents. In my tent, I decided to leave the vestibule and the tent door opened to enjoy the gentle and chilling wind while reviewing the things that wrote in my journal during my adventure in Tarak Ridge few months before this climb. I suddenly recalled the matter that was then frolicking in my mind then… the concern of an eleven year old Australian boy whose name is James Anthony Fitzgerald… a young man who was protesting by quitting to do oil paintings simply because he can no longer see his usual subject, the beautiful trees and the garden which was cleared to give way to the construction of a chapel. His very youngish but pure "contestation" is that “God will surely prefer to stay in the garden and under the trees than in a walled chapel”. I fell asleep while continuously imagining the facial expression and the body gesture of the young boy while expressing his young thoughts to their priest.
At 6:30, I prepared our dinner; I made sure that the food would be nice for them to further appreciate the camping! I cooked fried pork chop, garlic-laced corned beef, nido soup, and sliced the sweet oranges that we brought. It was a fine dinner in a dim lantern light under the dark but star studded sky! After our dinner, when we were about to prepare our sleeping bags, we were invited by a group of climbers who were already camping in the area to join them in their socials. Our group briefly join the fun, exchange stories and laughter.
At 10:00 PM, we decided to rest and proceed to our respective tents. In my tent, I decided to leave the vestibule and the tent door opened to enjoy the gentle and chilling wind while reviewing the things that wrote in my journal during my adventure in Tarak Ridge few months before this climb. I suddenly recalled the matter that was then frolicking in my mind then… the concern of an eleven year old Australian boy whose name is James Anthony Fitzgerald… a young man who was protesting by quitting to do oil paintings simply because he can no longer see his usual subject, the beautiful trees and the garden which was cleared to give way to the construction of a chapel. His very youngish but pure "contestation" is that “God will surely prefer to stay in the garden and under the trees than in a walled chapel”. I fell asleep while continuously imagining the facial expression and the body gesture of the young boy while expressing his young thoughts to their priest.
The very cold wind woke me up at around 5:20 AM… I got up and started to prepare our breakfast amidst the chilling early morning breeze. I prepared fried dried fish, scrambled egg and meat loaf! While preparing the breakfast, Allen stood up from his sleeping bag and assisted me in cooking. I was very silent then, except on instances that I would ask Allen to check the stove or cover certain things… I was actually thinking of James’ concern again… I never knew the reason why the predicament of that boy kept on frolicking my mind.
At 7:30, we enjoyed our breakfast. After another hour, we started packing our things. At 9:00, we started our slow descend. I opted to walk slowly to enjoy the trail and to ensure that my companions would not be frazzled. We arrived at Mang Pirying’s house at 10:00 AM and left some of untouched cup noodles and other food… we then rested for thirty minutes and enjoy the old man’s story. We then continued our journey and reached the trail end at 11:30. We neatened ourselves and waited for a tricycle that would bring us to Lipa City. At 12:30; we then proceeded to Lipa City and have our late lunch in one of the fast food stalls there. Then we took a van to Dasmariñas.
At 7:30, we enjoyed our breakfast. After another hour, we started packing our things. At 9:00, we started our slow descend. I opted to walk slowly to enjoy the trail and to ensure that my companions would not be frazzled. We arrived at Mang Pirying’s house at 10:00 AM and left some of untouched cup noodles and other food… we then rested for thirty minutes and enjoy the old man’s story. We then continued our journey and reached the trail end at 11:30. We neatened ourselves and waited for a tricycle that would bring us to Lipa City. At 12:30; we then proceeded to Lipa City and have our late lunch in one of the fast food stalls there. Then we took a van to Dasmariñas.
The hike was simply fulfilling. Going back to James’ concern… I suddenly realized something when I reached my house… what if, just like in Manabu, the priest simply erected a cross in the middle of the garden or under the trees?
Manabu was a beautiful place to solemnly pray… better than an enclosed chapel.
Manabu was a beautiful place to solemnly pray… better than an enclosed chapel.